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When you think of fish and teeth, what comes to mind? If you've ever seen the movie Jaws, then the large, razor-sharp teeth of the great white shark might come to mind. Or you might think of piranha, those tiny fish with the huge appetites for meat that can devour a large animal in a matter of minutes.

How large are the teeth of the Sloane's viperfish? They're so large that, when the fish has its mouth closed, the teeth overlap the jaws! They're so large that it has to open its mouth to make its jaws vertical before it can swallow prey.

The Sloane's viperfish has a large head that tapers to a small, forked tail. Its largest teeth are about half the size of its head!

So do you need to be worried about encountering a Sloane's viperfish the next time you're at your local lake or river? Not likely! The Sloane's viperfish is a deep-sea dragonfish that makes makes its home in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world.

During the day, the Sloane's viperfish stays in deep water (from 2,000 to over 8,000 feet deep). At night, though, it will migrate a bit closer to the surface (less than 2,000 feet deep) where food can be found more easily.

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We're heading to the front lines to explore tomorrow's Wonder of the Day!

Try It Out

We hope you enjoyed today's deep-sea Wonder of the Day! Keep fishing for more knowledge by checking out one or more of the following activities with a friend or family member:

Take some time to learn a bit more about fish. Do you know what kinds of fish are most common where you live? If not, look it up! Do some research on fish in your area. Different fish populate different areas. Just like you won't find many moose in Florida, you won't find many dolphins in Colorado! You could also check out a local sporting goods shop and talk to a few people who fish often in your area. You might be surprised what you can learn from local fishermen. Can you discover what fish are famous in your area?

If today's fishy Wonder of the Day put you into a nautical mood, don't wait! Go fishing right now! Grab a pole, your tackle box and some bait and head out to your favorite fishing hole. Don't forget to bring along a friend or family member. Fishing by yourself isn't nearly as much fun as fishing with friends. While you fish, you can take the time to share what you learned in today's Wonder of the Day with your fishing buddies. They might have some stories of their own about fish teeth!

If it's just not possible to hit the lake, the river, the stream or the ocean today, you can still have some fishy fun. Grab some art supplies and make a poster to show your friends and family members. You can draw a picture of the famous fish in your area, along with some key facts about each fish. For a challenge, draw each fish to scale, so that others can see how these fish compare to each other in terms of average size. Have fun learning about the finned friends in your area!

Wonderopolis

Rishitha

Wonderopolis

Jan 21, 2016

Hi, Rishitha! That's a GREAT question! We're glad this Wonder sparked your curiosity about viperfish. We encourage you to keep researching about them at your library and online. Always keep WONDERing! :)

HMA2004

Wonderopolis

Sep 9, 2014

Thanks for WONDERing with us, HMA2004! Fish have special receptors in their eyes that detect changes in light in the water. When they see light appear, it may signal to them that there is food in that direction, so they'll follow it. That's when the Sloane’s viperfish will strike! :)

andrew and dorian

Wonderopolis

Apr 17, 2014

WONDERful, Andrew and Dorian! We think the viper fish is a very scary looking fish. We wouldn't want to encounter that fish while swimming in the ocean. What about you? Thanks for sharing today, Wonder Friends! Hope you have a WONDERful day! :-)

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Hi there, Anthony, Elizabeth, and Alex! You did a great job of sharing your observations from today's Wonder! We love your descriptions of the viperfish! We hope you'll Wonder with us again soon - we look forward to learning with you! :)

Alex Mrs.Liles class

Elizabeth

Aug 13, 2013

Thought: Those fish look creepy and cool at the same time, and the music was so cool that I felt like rocking it!!!
Connection: I have a beta fish, so tell me anything about fish and I will understand.
Prediction: I think tomorrow's wonder of the day will be about volcanos.

Anthony

Kayla (Mr. Koomler)

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

What GREAT questions, Carlos, DeMetrius, Jessica, and Kayla! Viperfish's teeth are extra sharp and tough to see, which is how they get their predators close to them before they attack. Not all fish have big teeth, some have very tiny teeth! We hope you'll continue to Wonder about teeth and fish of all sorts, Wonder Friends! Keep up the great work! :)

Jessica ( Mr. Koomler's class...

Aug 13, 2013

This article is about a viperfish and how they eat. The viperfish so far has the longest teeth of all fish. Their teeth are so long that they don't fit in their mouths. Viperfish live in deep water up 8,000 feet... Viperfish eat shrimp, squid, and hermit crabs.They also have small photophores along its body to produce light. These lights attract fish to them.

DeMetrius

Aug 13, 2013

I wonder how viperfish have bigger teeth than a shark but a shark has more teeth than a viper fish. I think that the viperfish has bigger teeth than a shark. I wonder if viper fish those one fish with a light on their head.

Carlos Sarantos [Mr.Koomler]

Kimmie

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Way to go, Addy, Edgar, Adrian, and Kimmie! Viperfish are very cool to Wonder about, aren't they? We are glad you had fun learning and WONDERing with us today - we sure do hope to Wonder with you tomorrow! Here are some other fish Wonders for you to enjoy: https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonders?q=fish :)

addy

Rafael[Koomler's Class

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Viperfish have teeth that allow them to attract and grab their prey so they can eat. We are so glad you have shared some of your questions and observations with us, Amauri, Donavin, Chris, and Rafael! We hope you'll continue to Wonder about all sorts of fish and underwater creatures: Wonder #408-- Are Jellyfish Made of Jelly? https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/are-jellyfish-made-of-jelly/ :)

amauri /koomler

ben

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

These viperfish sure do have some seriously pointy teeth, don't they Adrian, Kamarien, Romen, and Ben?! :)
We are glad you enjoyed WONDERing with us today as we learned all about the small but mighty viperfish. Some fish may have bigger teeth, like the shark, but compared to their small bodies, viperfish have the largest teeth. :)

adrian

Tranae (Mr.Koomler)

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Hi there, Amelia, Kaylen, Miracle, and Tranae! Thanks for telling us about your favorite part of today's Wonder under-the-sea! We think you've done a WONDERful job of using your Wonder Word of the Day, too! We hope you encounter something WONDERful tonight when you share what you've learned with your family and friends! :)

ameilya

vaniyah culbreath

Aug 13, 2013

That was a cool video, I liked it a lot and I want to see one in real life. I really want to do a report on it someday but not that much because I think it is an ugly animal. I wonder what is their personality, are they mean are they nice I don't know? I really like writing comments on these cool wonder videos. I even like to go on this website at home.

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Great work, Sean, Alaina, and Vaniyah! Thanks for sharing your super awesome comments with us! We enjoyed reading all about your favorite parts of our viperfish Wonder and what you learned. We really enjoy WONDERing with awesome Wonder Friends like you! Thanks for making us smile! :)

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Hey there Christopher, Jeremiah, Alexis, and Brandon! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and connections to today's Wonder! We think it's great that you've shared what you learned from our Wonder about viperfish, even if they do look a little scary!
Thanks for sharing your WONDERful comments with us! We hope to see you tomorrow! :)

alexis hawblitzel

alexis hawblitzel

Jeremiah - Mrs. Liles' Class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT:I think these fish look very disgusting and ugly.
Connection: I have caught a catfish before and it was humongous.
WWOTD:I have encountered lots of things as an adult.
PREDICTION:I think tomorrow will be about sleeping.

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Way to go, Andrea, Destiny, Janiya, and Elizabeth! We're so glad you liked today's Wonder - we enjoyed learning all about the impressive teeth of the viperfish! Your connections made us smile, Wonder Friends, and we look forward to many more WONDERful connections with you soon! :)

Janiya ms liles class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT:the beat to the music was awesome in a way my way the fish looked pretty pretty as a fire breathing dragon awesome.
CONNECTION:I feel like I'm in the water and I'm right there and I can see it up close.
WWOTD:encounter is a word but I want the people there to put it in a sentence for me.
PREDICTION:I think tomorrow's is going to be about sleep.

destiny - Mrs.liles

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT: I had no idea that there was a fish called a slone viper fish.
CONNECTION: I was a little girl and me and my dad were walking in the lake and i thought something was going to come and get me or eat me.
WWOTD: I encountered a spec of hair.
PREDICTION: I think tomorrow's wonder will be about sleeping.

Andrea

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT: I thought the video was very scary.
CONNECTION:My connection is that I can only go a day without eating and three days without drinking any water.
WWOTD:A bug encountered me this morning.
PREDICTION: My prediction is that it is going to be about science.

chett- Mrs. Liles' Class

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Hi there Tairyn, Keith, Timothy, and Chett! Some fish are friendly, you're right, Wonder Friends! But in order to survive and protect themselves from harm and predators, they attack. We look forward to WONDERing with you tomorrow... your guesses are right on track! :)

tairyn

keith mrs.liles class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT:I never knew that viperfish had a light to attract their prey.
CONNECTION: My dad caught a viperfish at Hawaii.
PREDICTION: I predict that tomorrow's wonder of the day is about sleep.
EXAMPLE: I encountered my dad today.
WWOTD: encounter

deven mrs.liles class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT: I thought that the great white shark had the biggest teeth.
CONNECTION: I saw one of the viperfish.
PREDICTION: I predict that the viperfish will stay alive for a long time.
WWOTD: I was walking and encountered my friend.

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Great WONDERing Keith, Jacob, Danessa, Jenna, and Deven! Viperfish have sharp teeth in order to eat their prey after they catch it. Without sharp teeth they might not be able to attack. We are glad you've been WONDERing about other things under the sea, including the remains of the Titanic. Here's a Wonder for you to enjoy: #143-- What is an Iceberg? https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-an-iceberg/ :)

jenna Mrs. Liles class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT: I have never seen a viperfish before.
CONNECTION:I knew that viper fish had big teeth though.
PREDICTION: My prediction for tomorrow's will be about how sleep is important.
EXAMPLE: I encountered with my dog the in morning.
WWTOD: Encounter means "To come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly".

Danessa Mrs.lies class

Aug 13, 2013

thought: Why do some fish have sharp teeth?
connection: I have seen Jaws before and he has big teeth.
WWOTD: encountered - I encountered a pig.
prediction:I bet tomorrow's wonder of the day will be about an animal.

tj - Mrs. Liles' Class

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Nice work, Assata, Tiffany, London, and TJ! Today's Wonder and video sure did teach us a lot about the viperfish! We like WONDERing about it from afar, but we don't want to find ourselves face to face with a viperfish! :)
We think you're on the right track with tomorrow's snoozing Wonder! :)

Tiffany Mrs .Liles class

assata mrs.lilesclass

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT: I thought the music was nice and the video was nice too because we got to see more animals that now we can teach somebody else about those new animals we learn about.
CONNECTION:My connection is when I was littler use to love fish to see them so ugly I like fish not that kind.
WWOTD:I encountered a spider this morning.
PREDICTION: I predict that tomorrow's wonder will be about candy.

jeremiahmrs.liles class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT:I had no idea they were that long.
CONNECTION:I have seen a shark's tooth before and they are big but not that big.
WWOTD:I encountered an orangutan at the Virginia zoo.
PREDICTION:It will probably be something scary to make you not want to go to sleep.

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Great work, Miranda, Tiffany, Tam, and Jeremiah! We love your questions and Wonders of your own - what if humans DID have viperfish teeth? We would have to get used to that; we bet eating a sandwich for lunch would take some practice! :)
Thanks for sharing your awesome connections about animals and amphibians of all kinds, Wonder Friends! You ROCK! :)

Tam Mrs.Liles' class

Aug 13, 2013

THOUGHT:Awesome! What if we had teeth like the fish? We would chew gum like gummy bears!
CONNECTION:Once I was at the beach and the same fish popped up! I poked one of it's tooth out but then I lost it in the sand.
WWOTD: I have once encountered a viper fish.
PREDICTION:I think tomorrow's Wonder is about snoring.

Tiffany Mrs .Liles class

miranda azcona

Aug 13, 2013

Thoughts: I thought the video was weird. I thought the story was interesting.
Questions: What did the video mean? Why did the video show different mammals at the end?
prediction:I think tomorrow's wonder of the day is going to be "do you get enough sleep?"
Comments: I think you guys are awesome. I think you guys do great with this website. I can't wait to see tomorrow's wonder of the day. bye

destiny

Aug 13, 2013

Yes they're right I did think sharks and piranha came to my mind but when I saw the video I said to myself what are viperfish? And I found out they are the fish with the light.
Why do they eat those crustaceans?

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Nice work, Taquirria, Amelia, Cameron, and Destiny! We are so excited that you learned cool facts about the viperfish with us today! What an interesting amphibian to Wonder about! Viperfish prey on crustaceans, including shrimp and hermit crabs, because they are located in their natural habitats. Viperfish prey on larger creatures, too, because they can unhinge their large jaws! We hope you'll keep WONDERing about these cool fish! :)

byancah

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Great comments, Cameron, Jack, Ariel, and Byancah! We hope you continue to Wonder all about the viperfish today - there is so much to learn! Their silver color helps them attract prey. Some fish, including viporfish, have bones in their fins. Other fish have no bones at all! :)

cameron

angelina

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

We hope you will continue to Wonder all about the viperfish and the eggs the female fish release. We like reading your cool connections and predictions, Wonder Friends! Keep up the great work - we look forward to WONDERing with you tomorrow! :)

Xavion

elijah b

Wonderopolis

Aug 13, 2013

Good morning Jasmine, Aidan, Sadie, and Elijah! Thank you for sharing your WONDERful connections with us today! We Wonder if you have seen bigger, sharper teeth on a fish! Phew! We hope you'll keep Wonder about different pearly whites on different amphibians and animals! :)